Leading the wide-ranging innovations is the all-new MyLincoln Touch
driver connect technology, which delivers a smarter, safer, simpler
way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital
lives. MyLincoln comes standard on the 2011 Lincoln MKX, providing
drivers a whole new experience behind the wheel.

“With its combination of style, performance and uncompromising
luxury, the Lincoln MKX has brought new customers into the Lincoln
showroom in a way that very few products have before,” said Derrick
Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Lincoln
customers tell us they care most about style and technology, and the
new Lincoln MKX meets these needs perfectly. The new MyLincoln Touch
technology will change the way customers interact with their
vehicles while its new design language gives the vehicle a
distinctive and stylish silhouette we know customers will love.”

The dramatic freshening of the 2011 Lincoln MKX extends to all areas
of the vehicle: new features and technologies not available anywhere
else, new exterior design, new interior design with increased use of
genuine materials, new powertrain with unsurpassed fuel economy,
improved driving dynamics and new tires and wheels all combine to
deliver an unparalleled luxury experience.

The industry-first
MyLincoln Touch experience, powered by Lincoln SYNC®, replaces
traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, crisp LCD
screens and five-way buttons like those found on cell phones and MP3
players. The screens can be personalized to display information
relevant to each individual driver using a simple button click,
voice command or touch screen tap.

The electronic finish panel on the 2011 Lincoln MKX demonstrates all
the advantages of this touch-sensitive technology in a beautiful,
engaging package. Activated features display amber light. When
turned off, signature Lincoln White lighting is displayed.

In addition to the usual audio and climate control features, the
touch-sensitive technology also operates the volume and fan
controls, which is exclusive to Lincoln.
Customers can swipe their fingers along the slider to adjust the
volume. The slider features 10 distinct touchpoints; three full
swipes bring the system to maximum volume. Customers also can touch
anywhere along the slider to get a corresponding increase or
decrease in volume.

The fan control is operated in a similar fashion. On both the volume
control and the fan control, the distinctive Lincoln White lighting
acts as a chaser.

Like the song? You can tag it

Also new on the 2011
Lincoln MKX is the world’s first use of iTunes® Tagging in an
available factory-installed HD Radio™ receiver. Enabled by the
available Voice-Activated Navigation System through SYNC, iTunes
Tagging provides customers with the ability to “capture” a song they
hear on the HD Radio receiver for later purchase from iTunes. With a
simple push of a “TAG” button on the radio display, the song
information will be stored in the radio’s memory.

Once a song is tagged and customers dock their iPod to the SYNC
system, the “tagged” song information will transfer to that iPod.
When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs
will appear. Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is
connected. When an iPod is connected, the tags are transferred from
SYNC to the iPod. Customers then can preview, purchase and download
tagged songs from the iTunes Store, if they so choose.

One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is that the sound
quality of the broadcast is dramatically better because of the
digital transmission – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like
today’s FM broadcasts. Plus, unlike analog broadcasts, digital
broadcasts aren’t susceptible to interference, fadeout and other
issues.

Standard MyLincoln Touch
and remote start lead the list of features or technologies that are
new for the 2011 Lincoln MKX, including:

Adaptive Cruise
Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support allows the
driver to set the vehicle’s speed and maintain it without using
the accelerator pedal, and warns the driver of a potential
collision risk. It also helps reduce speed and automatically
pre-charges brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system
to help drivers stop more quickly when the system detects a
collision is imminent. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic
Alert is a feature that helps detect vehicles in blind spots
during normal driving and traffic approaching from the sides
when reversing out of parking spots. MyKey™ is designed to allow parents to encourage
teenagers to drive safely and more fuel efficiently, and
increase safety belt usage. The standard MyKey feature allows
owners to designate keys that can limit the vehicle’s top speed
and audio volume. Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel-Filler System is a standard
Ford-exclusive feature that uses an integrated spring-loaded
flapper door to eliminate the need for a fuel tank screw cap. \

A wealth of upgrades
means the 2011 Lincoln MKX will provide a more connected feel
between the driver and the road through responsive acceleration,
engaging steering, spirited handling and confident braking.

The new 18-inch tires have increased grip and are mounted on larger
wheels than the outgoing product, helping enable enhanced stopping
and improved handling. Twenty-inch wheels are available as well.

The springs, shocks and stabilizer bars also have been retuned to
give the Lincoln MKX a flatter response through turns and over hills
while still providing the comfortable ride luxury buyers expect and
demand.

The original Lincoln MKX set many benchmarks in overall quietness,
and that tradition continues as Ford internal preliminary data show
the 2011 MKX scores better in speech recognition, wind noise and
sound package than competitors from Lexus and Audi.

Both road noise and wind noise are significantly decreased in the
2011 MKX because of improvements found throughout the interior and
exterior, including powertrain. Additional actions include:

Sound pack and
acoustic glass: A more-absorptive sound pack is found
throughout the interior, which reduces high-frequency noise more
effectively than material that acts merely as a barrier. The
result is an improved articulation index, which measures how
easy it is to hear and understand someone in the vehicle. The
2011 MKX also features an acoustic headliner, and the microphone
for the SYNC system has been relocated so it is closer to the
driver for improved voice recognition. The windshield also is
thicker and acoustic-laminated for reduced wind noise. Acoustic
glass in the front doors also is standard for the 2011 model.
Finally, baked-on expandable foam baffles in the fenders and
rear D-pillars help seal out unwanted road noise. Powertrain NVH improvements: Three main actions
contribute to a quieter 2011 Lincoln MKX from a powertrain NVH
perspective. One is the more robust engine cover. Intake and
exhaust systems also have been completely retuned for a crisper
note corresponding to Lincoln powertrain DNA. Finally, a
“tighter” torque converter reduces engine rpm on launch and
tip-in events, reducing engine noise.

The 2011 Lincoln MKX also offers several new brake-related features:
Hill Start Assist, which reduces rollback on hills; Trailer Sway
Control, which provides greater towing stability when equipped with
the available trailer tow package; Hydraulic Brake Assist, which
provides greater braking force in emergency stops; and available
Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support.

Improved performance without
sacrificing fuel economy

Power for the 2011
Lincoln MKX is supplied by the 3.7-liter Duratec V-6, which employs
advanced technology and clever control strategies, such as Twin
Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) to increase horsepower
and torque without compromising fuel economy.

Customers of the 2011 Lincoln MKX will enjoy a luxury crossover that
has best-in-class power and torque versus all V-6 competitors with
unsurpassed highway fuel economy of 25 mpg – all on regular fuel.
Horsepower has been increased to 305 – a 15-percent increase
compared with the outgoing product – while torque is up to 280
ft.-lbs., marking a 12-percent improvement.

The 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6 is mated to a six-speed SelectShift
Automatic™ transmission, which gives customers the option of a
fun-to-shift manual experience.

In SelectShift mode, the transmission doesn’t second-guess the
driver, giving him or her control over gear selection and
performance feel. Upshifts, for instance, are not commanded at
redline, and downshifts are allowed at the lowest gear possible as
defined by the engine speed.

For instance, when a lower gear is selected while descending a long
downhill grade, the 2011 Lincoln MKX in SelectShift mode will hold
that gear until the driver manually upshifts or returns to the fully
automatic setting. To help ensure safe shifting, the transmission
will downshift to the lowest acceptable gear, based on a calculated
maximum speed. That means if a vehicle is traveling at highway
speeds, the driver cannot downshift to first gear in SelectShift
mode.

Improvements to engine hardware and powertrain control strategies
account for the gains in power and fuel economy. Other strategies in
addition to Ti-VCT are aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff;
torque-based deceleration control and battery management through
“smart charging.”

The flowing exterior
design of the 2011 Lincoln MKX provides the perfect complement to
the luxury crossover’s industry-leading technology and
class-exclusive features.

“The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be a real standout in the Lincoln
showroom,” said Doyle Letson, chief designer. “The addition of the
new split-wing grille, a key to Lincoln signature DNA, is just the
start. The 2011 MKX has the best proportions of any Lincoln we have.

“The fender line, with the raised arch over the front wheel, as well
as the lower rocker detail with beautifully tapered bright detail
that runs the length of the vehicle, makes a dramatic difference in
side view,” he added.

New for the 2011 model is an updated rear taillamp treatment. The
lamps are now two distinct pieces that employ an indirect LED system
that hides the light source while allowing the light intensity to
shine through. The reverse sensors of the Blind Spot Information
System are integrated into the reflectors while the Lincoln star
sits proudly on a new appliqué. The 4-inch oval exhaust tips,
significantly larger on the 2011 Lincoln MKX, also increase the
unique luxury crossover’s presence.

The new 18- and 20-inch wheels are more dynamic and expressive.
Instead of a familiar linear or blocky appearance, the wheels
encompass a variety of undulating and complex shapes that help the
2011 Lincoln MKX appear always in motion. The vibrant wheel shapes
again underscore the enhanced craftsmanship and attention to detail
found throughout the 2011 Lincoln MKX.

All-new interior brimming with
functionality and craftsmanship

The interior of the 2011
Lincoln MKX reflects an even greater emphasis on what defines
Lincoln DNA: luxury, craftsmanship, genuine materials and sharper
execution.

Gentle details that bring out Lincoln standards of quality and
excellence include brightwork on the vents, genuine stitching on the
doors and softer armrests with upgraded materials. The cupholders,
with available ambient lighting, are found beneath the independent
sliding leather-covered console lids, which feature decorative
stitching. A power tilt/telescoping steering column and a heated,
leather-wrapped steering wheel are available.

All-new leather-trimmed seats, comfort sections and standard tuxedo
stripe embrace the new Lincoln DNA sew style. More genuine aluminum
appliqués are standard, with aluminum accents on the door added to
the spears on the instrument panel.

The two available wood accents – Olive Ash and Walnut Swirl – on the
steering wheel, dashboard and doors add character and form; each
selection has a livelier, natural appearance, adding even more
character to the interior. Whether customers select aluminum or
wood, the increased use of genuine materials in the 2011 Lincoln MKX
ensures that each interior will be distinctive.

“Everything about the 2011 Lincoln MKX is vibrant and luxurious,”
said Bannon. “Our MyLincoln Touch system will draw people in,
helping them discover that the new Lincoln MKX delivers a total
driving experience not found anywhere else.”

The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be built at Oakville Assembly Plant;
Ontario, Canada.